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Feb. 4th, 2004 @ 10:41 pm Oh yeah, me
Current Mood: okay
Current Music: John Butler Trio - Zebra
For posterity reasons, let me introduce myself:

I'm (currently) 22 years of age and I'm a PhD student in mathematics. I'm studying the enumeration of p-groups, specifically Higman's PORC conjecture. Now that most of you have died of boredom or something, I might continue. Basically what I do all day is think about maths, write down heaps of maths (on paper, backs of envelopes and digitally) and generally do what I'm supposed to. I see mathematics as a creative discipline - some kind of weird mix of science, literature and artistic creativity. Oh and lots of the Edison spirit (1% inspiration, 99% perspiration). Unlike what many people think, I don't sit around all day finding new ways to add numbers together nor do I compute compound interest. Nor yet do I think of something to prove and write down the proof, rinse, lather, repeat. Mathematics is tough (duh) but it's also experimental in a sense. I sketch ideas, consult the literature, try to implement things, test algorithms, write up results... It's all tough work but strangely rewarding. I couldn't see myself doing anything else with my life.

Well, I could, but not successfully. See when I get home (and I'm not still in a mathematical mood) I turn into a literary man of a slightly more traditional kind. I write novels and various other things. I research weird and wonderful things. I read (and argue) philosophy on occasions. Maybe I have a good use of both sides of my brain. Alternatively, I'm scatterbrained and can't focus on one or two projects. Meh, I don't mind either way.

Just recently I had a little epiphany that helped me tie my life together more tightly: I'm a literary man. I like reading, writing and being creative. In my opinion, this covers my fiction writing, programming, reading and mathematics. As a result, I'm constantly trying to improve my vocabulary, sentence structure (when I'm not being casual) and cultivate my creativity.

Am I successful? Not wildly. I had some success with websites I had maintained (see previous entry) and people have always been supportive of my writing adventures. I haven't published anything yet, in fiction or mathematical circles. Some of that is due to not finishing many projects and some because I don't feel I've produced anything of high-enough quality.

I'll try to keep y'all posted with my attempts. We'll see how it all pans out.
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From:[info]forvrkate
Date: July 10th, 2005 05:47 am (UTC)

The Plan:

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I keep thinking that if I fail my Qual exams and don't become a Math Ph.D. that I'll switch over to the Philosophy department and study the philosophy of science. Then I'll write books like Michael Shermer and Steven Pinker.
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From:[info]brettw
Date: July 10th, 2005 05:39 pm (UTC)

Re: The Plan:

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Have you read any Karl Popper? I think that guy rocks, although his works are rather large, so it'd take ages to get through any of it.

Philosophy of science is, in my opinion, an underappreciated area, and we need loads more scientists contributing. Though you sound like you'll do well in the quals, going over to philosophy wouldn't be all that bad. A representative from the female mathematicians would be excellent.

By the way, hi :)
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From:[info]forvrkate
Date: July 10th, 2005 05:52 pm (UTC)
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Haven't read any Popper. Sigh. It's sad to think about "reading for pleasure" right now. I can't do it because I feel like I should be studying instead. Maybe in September.

As far as PhilScience goes, yes, definitely undervalued. My favorite two philosophy classes (of which I took many!) were the Philosophy of Psychology and the Philosophy of Biology taught by a PhilScience professor who was amazing. My university even has a couple philosophers interested in the philosophy of mathematics. I had hoped to take some of their classes "in my spare time" as a graduate student. Unfortunately, the math department looks down on this sort of strongly.